INI: The Information Networking Institute

Women@INI

Our goals

Women@INI (WINI) is committed to promoting and supporting the professional and academic goals of Information Networking Institute (INI) students. The goal of our organization is to create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment that promotes and celebrates gender and cultural equality and diversity, both within and beyond the INI.

Our values

WINI promotes leadership and a standard of excellence. Through the organization and the scholarship program of WINI, we will cultivate leadership qualities in INI students.

WINI is committed to "giving back to society," for we believe that tomorrow's leaders in information technology must be well versed in social, as well as technical, issues. Our participants will be encouraged to become involved in community building projects on campus, in the greater Pittsburgh area, and across international boundaries.

Our approach

WINI will take an active and integral role in recruiting, career placement, and the daily enrichment of student life. We will work with local communities and international organizations to promote networking and leadership opportunities for participants and to benefit society at large.

WINI will collaborate with parallel organizations on campus to foster interdisciplinary learning and career opportunities. In addition, WINI will facilitate training and career development programs to prepare individuals for a challenging career in information technology.

The WINI scholarship program will award scholarships each year to students who show academic merit and proven leadership in WINI and other academic programs. These scholarships will allow recipients to attend conferences focusing on women in technology.

Women@INI Scholarships

Executive Women's Forum INI Fellowship

The INI and Carnegie Mellon CyLab have partnered with the Executive Women’s Forum (EWF), sponsored by Alta Associates, to offer a full scholarship to an INI student each year.

Alta Associates is a premier executive recruitment firm specializing in Information Security, IT Audit, Risk Management and Privacy. In 2003, Alta Associates organized the first-ever Executive Women's Forum on Information Security for leaders in information security, privacy and risk management, and they have been holding annual EWFs since that time. The EWF is a group of over 200 of the most senior executive women in information security, risk management and privacy who meet yearly to share experiences and build trust-based relationships.

This scholarship was first offered in Fall 2007. Awardees, known as EWF Fellows, will receive a full scholarship and will be mentored by an EWF participant at a senior level in the information security field.

Recipients of the EWF scholarship must meet the following criteria:

Meet all criteria for admission to an INI program
Have an accumulated GPA of at least 3.25 prior to entering Carnegie Mellon and maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA while at the INI
Have no outstanding employment contract or obligation while attending Carnegie Mellon
Show exemplary promise and potential
Demonstrate exceptional leadership skills

Conference Scholarships

The WINI scholarship program will award scholarships each year to students who show academic merit and proven leadership in WINI and other academic programs. These scholarships will allow recipients to attend conferences focusing on women in technology.

For more information about the WINI scholarship program, contact our faculty advisor, Lorrie Cranor.

The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference

History of the Conference

Co-founded by Dr. Anita Borg and Dr. Telle Whitney in 1994 and inspired by the legacy of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, the Institute’s Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) Of Women In Computing Conference is designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. It is the largest technical conference for women in computing and results in collaborative proposals, networking and mentoring for junior women and increased visibility for the contributions of women in computing. Conference presenters are leaders in their respective fields, representing industry, academia and government. Top researchers present their work while special sessions focus on the role of women in today’s technology fields.

The Grace Hopper Conference gives INI the opportunity to recruit bright students and build strong corporate partnerships, while our students are able to network, interview and even secure internships! Here's what some of our alumnae and staff have to say about the Grace Hopper Conference:

"It was a wonderful networking opportunity, and it was great to see so many people interested in technology in one place," said Avni Baveja (Class of 2010).

"...For those who are considering applying for a scholarship to attend GHC, I highly recommend that you do so. My experience at Grace Hopper enhanced my academic career at Carnegie Mellon by allowing me to understand different cultures and how to deal with tough situations. It is comforting to know that problems you may have are not yours alone; others have encountered the same obstacles and have persevered. Over the past two years, I have grown personally, professionally, and have become aware of the challenges that technical women face. The Grace Hopper Conference has had a very strong influence on my present success and has built a strong foundation for the destined greatness ahead." - Tyelisa Shields (Class of 2010). Tyelisa's Grace Hopper Conference experience was featured on the INI website, as well as on the Grace Hopper website.

"The Grace Hopper Conference is an excellent opportunity for a variety of reasons. In my experience, the networking and interviewing that takes place is like no other. I would encourage you to consider attending this conference as I believe you will gain a great deal from interacting with employers--they attend just to meet you! There were several stories of years past about INI women getting internship/job offers from the contacts/interviews they had while attending the Grace Hopper Conference." - Jennifer Burkett, Director of Career Services and External Relations, INI.

Facebook is awarding 20 scholarships for Grace Hopper Attendees, for which additional info can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/careers/grace_hopper_scholarship

The INI will award scholarships to attend the Grace Hopper Conference; however the INI strongly urges you to apply for other scholarship opportunities as well. Stay tuned for additional information about the INI's essay contest.

If you are not selected as an INI or Facebook Grace Hopper Scholarship Recipient, you could attend the conference (at a discounted price) by becoming a "Hopper" volunteer. See http://gracehopper.org/2011/participate/hoppers/ for Hopper information.

This year's conference ("WHAT IF...?") will take place at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon from November 9-12, 2011 For additional information, please visit the Grace Hopper Conference website.

Join our WINI network on Facebook and LinkedIn!

If you would like to become involved with Women@INI or have any questions or suggestions, please contact one of our student officers or our faculty advisor.